Default Meeting Template for all users in the organisation.

Hi guys,

I have been trying to set default outlook meeting templates for all users in the organisation. 

I have a made sample meetings template and pasted it in a shared location where every user have access when connected to VPN. I have then created a GPO to move the template file to %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates so that it works even if disconnected from the VPN.

What I am struggling is to set the template as default. I have been trying the method below but seems like its not working.

1. Create a GPO for Outlook Settings:

   • In the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), create a new GPO or use an existing one that applies to the target users.

2. Configure Group Policy Preferences for Outlook Settings:

   • In the GPO, navigate to "User Configuration" > "Preferences" > "Windows Settings" > "Registry."

3. Add a New Registry Item:

   • Right-click in the right pane and select "New" > "Registry Item."

4. Configure the Registry Entry to Set the Default Meeting Template:

   • In the "New Registry Properties" window:
     • Action: Select "Update" to create or modify the registry entry.
     • Hive: Select "HKEY_CURRENT_USER."
     • Key Path: Enter the registry path for Outlook's options. It's typically Software\Microsoft\Office\<version>\Outlook\Options, where <version> represents the installed Outlook version (e.g., 16.0 for Outlook 2016).
     • Value Name: Set it to CalendarDefaultMeetingTemplateName.
     • Value Type: Select "REG_EXPAND_SZ" (important for environment variable expansion).
     • Value Data: Enter the path to your custom meeting template file in the user's local profile using environment variables, like %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\MyMeetingTemplate.oft.

5. Apply the GPO:

   • Link the GPO to the appropriate Organizational Unit (OU) or domain level where your target users are located.
   • Allow some time for the GPO to propagate to all users.

Can someone advise what the issue could be?